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NRCS conserves "Halloween Habitat" by helping bats in South DakotaSouth Dakota Do you want to know something really scary? Some species of bats, the unofficial Halloween mascot, are in decline. The Natural Resources Conservation Service is doing something to help these frightfully helpful creatures in South Dakota. As part of a cooperative conservation effort, the NRCS is working with the SD Bat Working Group on updating the SD Bat Management Plan. The plan is designed to identify risks to bats, develop objectives and strategies to conserve bats and to educate people about them, and make management recommendations associated with protecting bats and their habitats in South Dakota. "In the long run, we're hoping there will be an increase in awareness of bats in South Dakota," says Silka Kempema of SD Department of Game, Fish and Parks, Pierre. Many South Dakota landowners, in towns and the country, are already taking steps to improve bat habitat. Dominic and Trista Harmon, of rural northwest Mellette County, are focusing on environmentally friendly solutions to help their ranching operation. In 2004, local NRCS staff helped the Harmons organize a management plan for their ranch. They worked with NRCS specialists to maximize the ability of the property to produce forage for livestock while improving the health of the resources. As an organic producer, they want to increase bats on their ranch as a natural method for fly control around their cattle herd. The Harmons built both bird and bat houses near stock water tanks, corrals, and the headquarters with the goal of attracting bats that utilize insects for food. Similarly, Ken and Terri Taylor of Mitchell built bat houses around their home to attract bats. As the bats get established in their new houses, they will lessen the amount of flies, mosquitoes, and other pests that stress livestock and are a human nuisance. About a year and a half ago the Taylors decided to build a bat house because they noticed small bats roosting under their old house siding. Bats soon colonized in the new bat house. Since the first bat house was such a success, the following year another bat house was built and occupied by midsummer. "We really like having the bats roost on the property and we see the bats foraging on insects on a nightly basis during the summer. The bats have really decreased the amount of mosquitoes in our backyard. Mostly we see little brown bats and big brown bats but I am sure there are other kinds of bats around," says Ken Taylor. The Taylor's success with bat houses has become an attraction with colleagues who want to learn how they could use bats to control mosquitoes and flies on their own property. Bats of all types are helpful to humans in many ways. They consume enormous amounts of insects daily. They eat the beetles, moths, and leafhoppers that cost landowners billions of dollars in damages each year. Some bats serve as pollinators, helping plants and food grow. Bats also inspire our imagination and serve as a great icon for Halloween. For more information, please visit the websites of Bat Conservation, International at www.batcon.org or the SD Bat Working Group at http://nathist.sdstate.edu/SDBWG/SDBWG.html.
Date: 11/18/08 Advertisement
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